Do-It-Yourself Dentistry? Give Me A Break!

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3 Million Get Their Teeth Into DIY Dentistry
Around 3 million people in England have resorted to DIY (Do It Yourself) dentistry, with a further 3 million knowing someone else that has, according to new research by WHICH?. 3 million represents roughly 8 per cent of the British population.

People would rather check their bank balance, go to the gym or face a packed Ikea on a Saturday afternoon instead of going to the dentist so it's easy to see why so many people are having a crack at it themselves with DIY Dentistry.

Of those trying DIY dentistry, 26 per cent have tried to pull a tooth using pliers and 12 per cent have tried doing this using a piece of string tied to a door handle. Three in ten DIY dentists (30 per cent) have tried to whiten their teeth with household cleaning products.

Other DIY procedures people admitted to include using household glue to stick down a filling or crown (11 per cent), popping an ulcer with a pin (19 per cent) trying to mend or alter dentures (8 per cent) and trying to stick down a loose filling with chewing gum (6 per cent).

WHICH? health campaigner Jenny Driscoll, says "This research shows the desperate measures people will resort to. Everyone should have access to good quality dental treatment so it's worrying to see so many people resorting to doing it themselves."

People, I know dental care is expensive (I sell it every day via Discount Dental 4 U, my web site) but let's leave it to the professionals, OK? You can too easily do damage to your teeth and/or your gums which will end up costing you far more in the long run than any money you would save by pulling your own tooth.

Healthcare Savings Tip-Of-The-Week
"To handle difficulties, handle them when they are small and just beginning" (Lao-Tzu: 604 BC to 531 BC).
"Make the time to get regular checkups by your doctor to catch health problems before they become serious" (Kenn Kowalsky: 1963 AD to present).

Dutiful Dentists Detect Disorders Of The Eating Kind

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I can just hear my readers (what few there are) quietly asking themselves "What do eating disorders have to do with dental health?? A lot, apparently. According to the Academy of General Dentistry, dentists are becoming the first line of defense when it comes to spotting eating disorders in patients. I mention this in light of the fact that National Eating Disorders Awareness Week begins tomorrow and runs through February 28.

"A parent may not recognize a child is anorexic or bulimic, however, through a routine dental checkup, a dentist may spot the oral signs of the disease," said Dr. Katina Morelli, D.D.S., dental director for Delta Dental of Illinois. "Eating disorders have serious implications for oral health and overall health so when dentists see the symptoms of eating disorders we encourage our patients to seek help."

Another Reason For Dental Checkups
Bad breath, sensitive teeth and eroded tooth enamel are just a few of the signs that dentists use to determine whether a patient suffers from an eating disorder. Other signs include teeth that are worn and appear almost translucent, mouth sores, dry mouth, cracked lips, bleeding gums, and tender mouth, throat and salivary glands. Any of these symptoms can alert a dentist to a potential eating disorder.

According to the National Eating Disorders Association, studies have found up to 89 percent of bulimic patients have signs of tooth erosion, due to the effects of stomach acid. Over time, this loss of tooth enamel can be considerable, and the teeth change color, shape and length.

Healthcare Savings Tip-Of-The-Week
COUNTERFEIT TOOTHBRUSHES?
First there was Molson beer. Then it was hockey players. Now it's counterfeit toothbrushes. It would be funny if it wasn't true but Health Canada (I'm not sure but I'm assuming that this is the Canadian Department of Health) is advising Canadian consumers and retailers to exercise caution when purchasing toothbrushes. Counterfeit toothbrushes falsely labelled as Colgate Massager, Colgate Navigator, Oral B Classic 40, Oral B Contura and Colgate 360 have been found on the Canadian market. Oh, Canada.

Smiles Are The 'Most Attractive' Physical Feature

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Today is officially Valentine's Day and what do we find most attractive about our sweetheart(s)? Their smile! A national survey conducted for the American Dental Association, Crest(R) and Oral B(R) finds that Americans say that the smile outranks eyes, hair and the body as the most attractive physical feature.

Yet men and women differ when it comes to caring for their smile (i.e. taking care of their teeth and gums). The nationally representative survey of 1,000 Americans ages 18 and older found 86 percent of women brush their teeth twice or more a day, yet only 66 percent of men do so.

Sadly, all Americans need to do a better job of flossing their teeth. Only half of those surveyed (49 percent) say they floss their teeth once a day or more often. And 1 out of 3 people surveyed think a little blood in the sink after brushing their teeth is normal, yet it's not -- it could signal gum disease or another health problem.

Growing research indicates there may be an association between oral health and serious health conditions such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes, underscoring the importance of good oral hygiene habits.

"We need to constantly get the word out how important it is to stay on top of your oral health," says Dr. Ada Cooper, an ADA consumer advisor and practicing dentist in New York City. "Brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, flossing daily, eating a balanced diet, and visiting your dentist regularly can help keep your smile healthy."

Healthcare Savings Tip-Of-The-Week
GET YOUR DOCTOR TO LISTEN TO YOU
Doctors may only listen to the first few symptoms you describe, losing interest after that. A famous 1984 study showed that, on average, patients were interrupted 18 seconds into explaining their problems, and less than 2 percent got to finish their explanations. When a doctor has incomplete patient information, this can set the stage for misdiagnosis. To protect yourself, prepare a detailed list of your symptoms in advance, as well as a list of questions to you want to askthe doctor.

When Is A Dental Emergency An Emergency?

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When To Go To The Dentist Immediately (Serious Emergencies)

Severe Pain: Severe dental pain is a sure sign of injury or infection -- a signal telling you to see a dentist right away.
Broken Tooth: If you've fractured a tooth and the crack has gone deeper, reaching the underlying dentin or pulp, you should see a dentist immediately.
Knocked-Out Tooth: Whether or not your tooth will successfully be reimplanted is directly related to how quickly you're able to get to the dentist.

When To Go To The Dentist Promptly (Minor Emergencies)

Objects Lodged Between The Teeth: Try to gently remove the object with dental floss, but never use a sharp instrument because you may chip a tooth or cut your gums. If you can't floss it out, visit your dentist.
Lost Or Broken Filling: If it's painful, use an over-the-counter pain medication such as ibuprofen until you can see your dentist.
Chipped Tooth: Try to be seen as soon as possible so the fracture will not deepen. The dentist can determine if the tooth needs to be capped or filled, and make sure the fracture does not deepen.

What Should I Do To Prevent And Prepare For Dental Emergencies?

Make sure your dentist's telephone number is readily available. Find out your dentist's 24-hour on-call arrangements, especially if you have kids. Know what hospital emergency room you will choose if you have a severe dental emergency or can't get to a dentist.

Use mouth guards, helmets, and face masks when playing sports. Make sure your child's coach or sports group leader knows how to handle dental emergencies.

If you or your child have dental caps, bridges, dentures, or implants, note it on your emergency ID card. Even better, become a member of a discount dental plan of which will enable you in her family to receive large discounts on emergency dental services

Avoid eating and drinking in a moving car, and always use your safety belt.

Healthcare Savings Tip-Of-The-Week
As much as 50% of doctor or hospital bills contain mistakes that end up costing you money, says Jane Cooper, president of Patient Care, a Milwaukee consumer-advocacy group. As many as eight out of 10 hospital bills contain errors, increasing the tab by 25% on average. Keep a log of every test and medication you get, and check it against your medical file, which you can order from the hospital's billing office. If you spot an error, send a certified letter requesting a corrected bill, and a copy of all documentation to your insurer.

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